Songbirds Foundation equips individuals for creative careers and drives economic growth by providing training, resources, and spaces that power the creative economy. Through education programs, creative spaces, and professional pathways, we help young people and working creatives build real-world skills, confidence, and opportunity.

As Songbirds enters its next phase of national growth following a major organizational merger, we are investing in senior leadership that can help build sustainable funding systems, deepen long-term relationships, and translate impact into support.

The Director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for building and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports Songbirds’ long-term stability and national scale. This position partners closely with executive leadership to grow institutional funding, individual giving, and strategic partnerships while strengthening the systems and communications that support donor confidence.

This is a role for an experienced development professional with a proven track record of raising significant philanthropic dollars, including national funding.

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals, annual targets, and long-term growth plans

• Secure and steward national, regional, and local funding from foundations, corporate partners, and major individual donors

• Oversee grant strategy end to end, including research, proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewal

• Partner with executive leadership to cultivate major gifts and long-term donor relationships

Communications & Story Alignment

• Collaborate with communications and media teams to ensure donor-facing messaging reflects program outcomes, data, and priorities

• Translate program impact into compelling development materials including proposals, donor updates, and reports

• Ensure development communications align with Songbirds’ brand platform

Systems, Reporting & Infrastructure

• Manage donor database tools, reporting workflows, and stewardship calendars

• Develop fundraising dashboards and metrics

• Prepare reports for leadership and board

Leadership & Collaboration

• Support advisory councils and fundraising committees

• Serve as a thought partner to executive leadership

• Contribute to a collaborative, values-driven culture

• 7–10 years of professional fundraising experience

• Proven success securing national funding

• Experience working with executive leadership and boards

• Strong grant writing and stewardship skills

• Ability to translate impact and data into persuasive narratives

• Belief in creative education and workforce development

Hybrid and flexible. Location flexible. Outcome-oriented schedule.

Salary range: $60,000–$80,000 base, negotiable based on experience.

*** There will be negotiated scheduled salary increases based on high performance ***

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